Christmas Panic

Stole this idea from George Costanza (Seinfeld).  You could tell people that rather than you buying them a gift you donated money to the Human Fund. 

You got a breadmaker sitting around that you don't use?

In my family we pull names so that each of us only has to buy one present for an adult. The kids, natch, get lots of presents. It works very well, doesn't overstreach anyone's pocketbook, and is a reasonable thing for adults to do. Would your family be up for starting a new tradition like that? My friends and I long ago established a no gift giving at Christmas agreement: birthday's are where we indulge, and besides, that means more anyway.

Personally I resent being expected to spend money on the incorrect birthday celebration of a "saviour" that is not mine, and marking a holiday that really is just a big giant marketing campaign. And the music sucks.

Bah-humbug!

"boyfriends" --- ok, if you've got extras you could send ME one of those for Christmas!

I've whittled it down severely from the list you mention. One gift for an immediate family memeber. Extended family, co-workers, bosses, only get cards. For work friends, I might bring in some cookies-if they've been good! Close friends: like I said, no presents, but who doesn't have Christamas parties--I bring a bottle of nice wine and, if they are the types to have it, a special oranment for their Christmas tree.

Boyfriend - if I had one - would get the most lavish presents.

Coaches? That seems like the toughest of all?

Anyway....just some 2 cents. People usually are really, really happy just to be fed something yummy, that is for sure. Could be a perfect time to make Porn Cake!

Hard to believe, I know... I also have a water hose rack, A salad tosser (insert easy dirty jokes here) and a bar set that have seen no use.

A thoughtful gift is always more appreciated than an expensive or required one. As I have always been poor, people who know me have always known they are not going to get a costly gift from me.  And even if I win the lottery someday, I still will not give random gifts just because I feel obligated.  You get a gift from me if we have a meaningful relationship - end of conversation. I am not giving a gift to my aunt I see once every five years because I heard that she is going to be at my Mother's house this year while I am there.....Merry Christmas, Aunt Bea - that's all you're gettin' from me.

I have a little notebook that I keep in my purse for just this purpose. When the important people in my life let little things slip ("oh I just love this necklace" "I have always wanted to read Oliver Twist" "I love going to the movies" "yeah a pedicure probably would be awesome but I can't spend money on stuff like that for myself" - I make a note of it in the notebook and then they get something that they really want.

Involves a lot of active listening , but when the faces light up and they say "Oh my GOSH, I really wanted one of these"!!  I can say to myself, yes I know, you told me - and they don't even remember that they did.

do you make out with him too?  because you can't call him your boyfriend unless you make out with him.  That's rule #4 on the list that i Just made up called "rules for being able to call a dude your boyfriend"

Seriously, if I were to get a present from one of my athletes, the best thing I could imagine would be a race pic of them looking fit and fast.

I'm sure everyone would love pictures of "you" in a banana hammock.

c/o runnergirl29

1406 Wahoo Rd